| ARSENAL | 4-0 | EVERTON | 
|
| Bilic (og) 5 | ||||
| Overmars 28, 57 | ||||
| Adams 89 |
|
| ARSENAL | 4-0 | EVERTON |
|
| Bilic (og) 5 | ||||
| Overmars 28, 57 | ||||
| Adams 89 |
 | ||||
Substitutes: | ||||
 |  |  |  | 
|
for 15 for 32 for 28 | ||||
Venue: - Highbury Stadium, London
|
Half Time: 2-0
|
Match Reports:
World's apart - Lyndon Lloyd
Shameful performance - Guy McEvoy
- Jenny Roberts
Kendall dismisses 'quit' rumours - Soccernet / Daily Mail
Kendall faces up to unthinkable - Sporting Life
Anyone who asked me what our chances were at Highbury on Sunday was told
that we had it in us to get a draw but I didn't think we would get it.
Nevertheless, I had been excited about the match ever since a ticket opportunity
opened up out of the blue last week - I was the eternal optimist who believed
that we could do it.
I caught the 10.52 train from Staines, trying desperately to read my book
in a vain attempt at keeping my mind off the game. I managed a few pages
but by the time I reached Twickenham I felt physically sick with nerves.
I tried to console myself with the thee separate dreams I had about the match
(two draws and a 2-0 win courtesy of two John Spencer goals – reality
couldn't have been further away) but that didn't really help either.
All northbound services on the Northern Line were cancelled so I had to make
a roundabout journey on the Bakerloo and Victoria Lines before I finally
reached Euston at around 11.45. Searching for a cash-point I bumped in James
Goddard and we made our way up to the Cooper's pub only to be greeted with
a sign informing us that it would next be open on Monday.
Confused we hovered around for a while before GFEs Frank and Wilf and mates
arrived, closely followed by Billy, Steve and Adie. Steve went off to have
words with the management of the pub only to come back 5 minutes later with
the news that the bar was open and serving. It was filling up rapidly when
we walked in, prompting much derision from Frank who immediately banned me
from Netley Tactical Pint Reconniassance forever!
There was an excellent turnout and I won't try and name everybody in attendance
but the drink flowed as we pored over the GFE artist's impressions for their
stadium vision and various newspaper articles previewing the game.
With a few drinks down me I briefly forgot about the trial by fire that awaited
and there was much merriment as we trouped through the underground, first
whistling Z-Cars down the escalators and then bursting into full song on
the tube – to the amusement and bewilderment of many seated around us.
Within a few minutes we were in the World's End which was echoing to the
sound of Sky Sports' coverage of the Manchester City game.
More drink and it was time to head off to the ground, some 20 minutes away.
Having trudged ¾ around the stadium only to realise we had missed the
entrance, we finally got inside with enough time to buy some grub and settle
down for the event. Typically, Billy missed the kick off but almost an entire
row of Netley footsoldiers was in place by the time Thomas Myhre had saved
brilliantly from Anelka in the first minute.
The Evertonians were in good voice but the team was one down before they
had had a chance to settle. Petit swung in a free kick and the ball ended
up in the net. I hadn't seen it at the time but it turned out that Slaven
Bilic had headed past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Tomy Adams.
It just got worse after that. I can honestly say that I have never seen my
team get demolished so comprehensively as they were by Arsenal and I have
never seen such a devastating performance in the flesh in my 13 years of
going to football matches. Watching the red tide come forward time and time
again was truly frightening. The second goal was no surprise but was unnecessary
because Beagrie gave the ball away in midfield and Overmars just accelerated
and jinked his way past the pedestrian Short before firing under Thomas who
could perhaps have stopped it but probably not.
My frustration and anger boiled over at that point and Billy did his best
to reassure me that we weren't down yet; there was still next week and we
knew beforehand that we were going to get twatted. I couldn't argue. It was
then that Billy said he was going when the third goal went in.
Everton didn't manage a single effort on goal after Don Hutchison's direct
free-kick had gone straight into the Arsenal wall in the first few seconds
of the half. By half time the fans were devastated and Arsenal were cruising.
A quick escape for a pee during the interval took me past a group of Blues
exchanging insults and chants with Arsenal fans on the other side of a separating
gate and when I emerged from the toilet they were charging feet first at
the division, in an attempt to break through it. They probably didn't; I
didn't wait to find out.
Howard took three (Bilic, Beagrie and O'Kane) off and threw on Madar, Farrelly
and Oster. Although Everton were several degrees better in the second half,
they were still unable to prevent the Gunners powering their way to another
two goals, without reply.
The three substitutes were probably our best players on the day along with
Michael Ball and Thomas Myhre but it was Bally who played a cross-field ball
straight into the opponents hands and Overmars raced clear to smash home
number three. The crowd deflated, Billy left and although I managed to get
my first ever chant going it was useless.
The atmosphere in the Highbury Stadium was phenomenal; a veritable cauldron
of noise. I have never experienced anything like it on either side of the
Atlantic and we never stood a snowball's chance in hell. It was pure noise
from start to finish. The Evertonians stood in stunned silence for the remainder
of the game, stationary with arms folded as if attending a wake. A few people
stayed seated, heads in hands, not daring to watch further humilation.
Those of us who did suffer the agony of watching ever distressing minute
saw Madar and Oster carry the attacking threat with Barmby occasionally buzzing
around the Arsenal area but he was snuffed out almost every time. When he
did manage to release Madar, the lineswoman (a Premeirship first?) –
who was terrible I might add – adjudged him harshly offside.
I don't think we managed a shot on target in the second period either but
if that wasn't humiliating enough, watching Tony Adams rampage through to
crash a superb shot past Myhre in the final minute was a total disgrace.
Highbury erupted and the final whistle followed soon afterwards.
I had put up with 90 minutes but there was no way I was going to watch Arsenal's
celebrations. I left with James Goddard and Ian Chaderton and shuffled out
into the street where gleeful Arsenal fans, who hadn't managed to get a ticket,
were pouring out of nearby houses. One girl asked me if I had a ticket stub
she could have but numbed by heavy defeat I didn't even raise my head. I
felt guilty afterwards – it will probably be a collectors item one day
but I just didn't feel like even reaching into my pocket for it. Half of
me just couldn't deal with all the unbridled celebration that was erupting
all around – something that was to haunt me all the way back to Staines.
Car horns hooted, people screamed and shouted and waved flags and scarves.
People with pints and bottles appeared from nowhere as I walked on alone,
an island of sorrow in a sea of red ecstacy. I met up with the Netley Roadshow
crew at the World's End but penniless and miserable I stood on the pavement
and stared off into space while the pub filled to the rafters with singing
and dancing Gooners.
By the time we had taken our group away up the street I was becoming a lot
more philosophical about things; after all, it wasn't over yet and so much
could yet happen at Goodison next Sunday. In fact, by the time we reached
"The Park whatever it was" pub I was actually in quite a good mood. Patchie
nicked an Arsenal scarf and was doing his best to convince people in the
pub that he was a Gooner despite his thick Scouse accent and the local fruit
and veg stalls were being raided for all manner of vegetables.
"Fuck Arsenal" and "Everton FC - Pride of Merseyside" were scrawled on the
blackboard by the dartboard, much to annoyance of the landlady, and Tom Netley
was entered into the local darts tournament. Attempts were made to trash
the framed Liverpool FC cartoon on the wall and the entire pub filled with
famous Everton songs as the atmosphere among us lifted.
I finished my last pint, sang my last song and headed off across London for
home. By the time my girlfriend picked me up at Staines I was freezing cold
and could barely speak through a shredded throat. I was already looking forward
to Coventry next week because my resolve had only been strengthened by the
events of the day. It ain't over yet.
Myhre 6, O'Kane 5, Bilic 5, Watson 5, Short 5, Ball 6, Tiler 5, Beagrie 4, Hutchison 5, Barmby 6, Ferguson 6; subs - Madar 7, Oster 7, Farrelly 6
The day started off depressing enough and ended up suicidal. Sitting on a
train full of Arsenal fans, my Royal Blue colours prompted a bit of taunting.
When the row started I wasn't exactly in a position of strength.
"Yer goin' darn" an acne-scared cockney scally volunteered. I weighed it
up. There were maybe fifteen of them against the one of me. Violence was
ruled out. It'd have to be the rapier wit. "Yep, I know". Sharp reply.
I was glad when we pulled in at Finsbury Park. I was meeting an old friend
from University who doesn't follow football at all. For an hour at least
I was able to get it out my mind as he steered the conversation onto any
topic except the match. It couldn't be ignored forever though and as the
clock clicked on it was eventually time to leave for the lions den of Highbury.
As you walk through the gates at the away end you pass a bookies. Ladbrokes
gave 6-1 on an Everton win. A fool and his money.
The Evertonians were in reasonably good cheer considering. We gave a few
songs as the team warmed up. The world had us written off, everyone thought
that we would go there and Arsenal would trounce us. We went with the hope
of sticking two fingers up at all of them. Whilst all of us in our heads
knew that a good result was unlikely, in our hearts there was that slight
hope for a draw. How naive.
We were crushed. Outclassed, outplayed and embarrassed.
I can't remember ever feeling so empty watching the blues. We were bit players
in Arsenals' title party, nothing more. The fans went desperate to get behind
the team, but they gave us not one thing to start from. The entire first
half saw not one single attempt on goal from Everton. Arsenal were unlucky
to finish the half with only two on the board.
Bilic scored the first for them within five minutes. A free-kick from their
right, pressure from Adams and there it was. The second came after Beagrie
lost the ball, a strong run down the field was ended with an Overmars shot
Tommy should've stopped but the power saw in.
In between the goals, the game consisted of Arsenal picking up the balls
Everton gave so freely away and charging terrifyingly at a shaky looking
defence. Our three centre-backs were overwhelmed; Bilic trying his hand at
midfield in front of them looked lost. The partnership of Barmby and Ferguson
provided nothing. Fans shouted the word 'Pride'. It didn't register.
To a man the Evertonians assumed the same position. Every one of them stood
up for the majority of the game. Arms folded high in front of them as if
they were holding their guts in place. After a while I couldn't even manage
that. I sat down and looked at the backs of the row of people in front of
me. It was less painful.
When you are in our position there is clearly room for cynicism and hard-men
in the play. But when cynicism is your only tactic, when the only things
of note the team manages is to get involved in scuffles. Well, that is shameful.
The second half was a formality. We made a triple substitution and we looked
briefly like participants, particularly with the arrival of Madar. Arsenal
though were in full flow and still chewed us up. Another two strong runs
created quality goals. The gulf between us was hammered home when Bould laid
on Adams for the final nail. Can you imagine Tiler providing Watson for a
goal like that?
By this time I felt no more anger, just a punch-drunk resignation. The final
whistle was a relief.
I stayed to watch them pick up the trophy. Worthy champions. A side that
blends cosmopolitan flair with bulldog steel. A different league to us. Probably
literally.
After their laps of honour I left the ground in a surreal atmosphere. The
streets were quiet, they had just won the championship and it felt like I
was walking in a crowd that had just lost to Barnet. It was silent. Then
I got back towards Finsbury Park and they suddenly broke into their second
wind. Suddenly, every car was tooting its horn, everyone had a flag in one
hand and a can of lager in the other. Suddenly strangers were hugging and
dancing with each other.
Arsenal fans would break off from their moment of celebration to pat me on
my back and wish me luck for next week. A curious gesture, sort of put me
in mind of a new lottery winner stopping his celebrations to put 50p in
a charity box, even though they didn't like the charity. Why they should
wish us luck after that shameful performance I'll never know.
All I could do was look at the faces and wonder what I would be feeling in
exactly a week. Would I be at the extreme other end of what I was stuck in
at the moment? The goose-pimples started.
As if it wasn't bad enough being stuck on the train back to Cambridge (don't
ask!) with Arsenal fans, imagine then being faced with a minor TV celebrity
Arsenal fan, being loud and obnoxious. There was Rory McGrath, replica shirt
and all savouring every moment. Fucking nightmare. If the doors of the train
hadn't been on auto-lock I swear I would have jumped off.
Every other aspect of my life is going so well I should be succumbing to
paradise syndrome. Instead, I'm walking round like I'm terminally ill or
something. God help us all.
Howard Kendall last night scoffed at suggestions that he would quit as
manager if Everton lost their top flight status for the first time in 44 years.
And he insists that they will not be like lambs to the slaughter at Highbury
today when Arsenal expect to formally complete their championship
triumph.
'This game is vitally important to us as well as Arsenal and we will be
giving it a real go to get the result that we need for ourselves,' promises
Kendall.
'Most of my senior players are available to me again so at least we won't
have to rely on the kids who have done remarkably well for us.
'I have seen the speculation about my future but it is total nonsense so far
as I am concerned.'
Supporters of once great Everton do not lay the blame for the current
demise at the door of the manager. Since taking over for a third time at
the start of the season Kendall has been forced to operate within a tightly
restrictive budget.
Should the club be forced to surrender Premiership status it will be
controversial chairman Peter Johnson who will be required to suffer the
wrath of a totally disenchanted and disillusioned public on Merseyside.
Everton boss Howard Kendall is aware that even a win
over Coventry next week might not be enough for
survival.
After the Toffees 4-0 defeat at Arsenal which saw the
Gunners crowned Champions, he said "It's out of our
hands now,".
"Today we were disappointing both individually and
collectively. We weren't at the races in the first half and
didn't really test Seaman at all.
"Relegation is certainly not unthinkable. It should be, but
it isn't, and that's shown in the club's record over the past
few seasons.
"They'd have gone down if Middlesbrough hadn't had
three points deducted last season, and again if they
hadn't beaten Wimbledon on the final day in 1994.
"People will be looking to see what happens to Bolton at
Chelsea as well but we have to forget about this now,
make a fresh start on Tuesday and make sure we're
prepared for Sunday."
Premiership Results 4-6 Apr 1998:
Premiership Table 6 April 1998:
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts Arsenal 36 23 9 4 68 28 40 78 Manchester United 37 22 8 7 71 26 45 74 Liverpool 36 17 11 8 64 41 23 62 Chelsea 37 19 3 15 69 43 26 60 Leeds United 37 17 7 13 56 45 11 58 Blackburn Rovers 37 15 10 12 56 52 4 55 Aston Villa 37 16 6 15 48 48 0 54 Leicester City 37 13 14 10 48 37 11 53 Derby County 37 15 7 15 51 49 2 52 West Ham United 36 15 7 14 49 51 -2 52 Coventry City 37 12 15 10 45 43 2 51 Southampton 37 14 5 18 49 54 -5 47 Newcastle United 37 11 11 15 35 43 -8 44 Sheffield Wednesday 37 12 8 17 52 66 -14 44 Tottenham Hotspur 37 11 10 16 43 55 -12 43 Wimbledon 37 10 13 14 33 45 -12 43 Bolton Wanderers 37 9 13 15 41 59 -18 40 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Everton 37 9 12 16 40 55 -15 39 Barnsley 37 10 5 22 37 80 -43 35 Crystal Palace 36 7 8 21 33 68 -35 29
Results and Tables supplied by Lawrence "Leagueman" Breakey, used by kind permission.